ESTABLISHED IN 1969, the Model Aviation Hall of Fame
honors those men and women who have made significant
contributions to the sport of aeromodeling.
The list of members is long and distinguished. These people
have made contributions to model aviation through volunteer or
administrative activities, product development, competition
performance, or a variety or combination of activities.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is composed of past
AMA presidents and one Hall of Fame member selected from
each of the 11 districts by the respective vice presidents.
Each year a new class is inducted into the Model Aviation Hall
of Fame and the winners are announced in MA. Anyone may
submit a Hall of Fame nomination form.
For a nomination form or further information, contact Jackie
Shalberg at (765) 287-1256, ext. 511, or find the current form
online at www.modelaircraft.org, document 152.
The committee has selected the following people for the 2007
Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
Verlin (Bud) Atkinson
1925-2007
Boy Scouts are considered outstanding American citizens. They
possess courage, initiative, loyalty, and leadership. Anyone who has
had the pleasure of meeting Verlin “Bud” Atkinson could see that
this great aeromodeler got his start within this prestigious
organization. Bud learned skills in the Scouts that would shape the
rest of his life.
Bud Atkinson was born July 11, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was active in sports in high school and earned his letter in
football.
While still in high school Bud enlisted in the AAC and attended
school to become a mechanic and radio operator. He served our
country during World War II as a tail gunner and co-pilot on B-24
bombers. Bud earned the American Campaign Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during his
service.
Encouraged by his father and the Boy Scouts, Bud began
building and flying models at the age of 12. He experimented with
many aspects of model aviation before choosing RC Scale in which
he quickly excelled. His experiences included FF, CL, indoor
gliders, hand-launched gliders, Pylon Racing, and Scale. Bud was
even the first person in the Kansas City area to fly RC helicopters.
Bud began his professional career as a cabinet maker and
furniture finisher—both skills acquired from his uncle—at the age of
21. His started out at the Duff & Repp Furniture Company and later
spent 16 years at Emery, Bird, Thayer as furniture finisher and
service representative until it closed in 1968.
Bud took a position as the top furniture finisher for Paynes
Furniture until his retirement in 1981. Conceivably, all this
experience explains Bud’s extraordinary aptitude for applying
award-winning finishes to his airplanes.
Bud designed, built, and kitted many models throughout his
model aviation career. Among these were the Stits Flut-R-Bug,
Corbin Super Ace, Stits Playboy, Mooney M-20, F-4U Corsair, and
many more. Some of Bud’s designs were kitted by companies such
as ACE R/C, Sig, and Midwest Products. Various modeling sources
still have his plans available. He was featured on the cover of several
magazines with his models.
Bud often shared his knowledge with other modelers. He wrote a
column titled “Let’s Talk About Scale” that ran for three years in
American Modeler. He has written several articles on the construction
of his models that were published in various magazines. Bud was
always eager to help others get started and excel in model aviation.
As a competitor, Bud took part in countless flying events. He
kept many of his trophies on display in a special room set aside in
his home. His wife Alice guessed Bud acquired more than 500
awards for his modeling activities.
The earliest trophy in his collection dates back to 1942. His most
notable awards include a Testors Award plaque for best finish on a
model and first-place trophies in numerous Scale and Nats events.
Bud passed away on March 21, 2007, after an extended illness.
The 49th Mid America Jumbo Squadron held its annual Jumbo
Jamboree in Bud’s memory on August 25, 2007.
Bud had a hand in the formation of the squadron—the only
International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) club in the
Greater Kansas City area. Jim Cianciolo, AMA District VI associate
vice president, presented Alice with his award for the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame during the jamboree.
Susan Calvin, sponsor for Bud’s Hall of Fame nomination, wrote,
“All who have known Bud have benefited from his life example and
his untiring efforts to improve model aviation and those who
participate in it.”
Bud devoted more than 60 years to the hobby. He lived the
principles instilled in him at age 9. Verlin “Bud” Atkinson is a Scout
in every sense of the word, serving his country, mentoring and
teaching others, and being the kind of person people enjoy being
with.
Throughout adulthood Bud continued as an active supporter of
Scouting and often invited Scouts to his home for model airplane
building.
Mike Gretz
Montezuma, Iowa
Mike Gretz was born January 26, 1952, in Mankato, Minnesota.
He got his start in model aviation building balsa gliders and rubberpowered
stick models made by American Junior and North Pacific.
He thoroughly studied the instructions and experimented with
bending the control surfaces. His little modifications enabled his
airplanes to fly much better than those his friends built.
Mike’s first experience with gas-powered models was observing
his uncles who flew FF and CL models. Still a boy at the time,
Mike’s teenage uncles wouldn’t let him play with their precious
pieces of work. He instead watched them build and fly. When his
family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1960, Mike spent time
watching CL pilots fly their models in the park a block from his
house.
In 1968 Mike purchased his first gas model: a Sterling
Ringmaster 1/2A CL model with a Cox Babe Bee .049 engine. Heexchange for his help, Mike had to let his brother fly it. The brothers
taught themselves how to run the engine and fly the aircraft in only a
few days.
His family moved back to Mankato in 1969 where Mike became
acquainted with Michael Stott and his father Arnold, operator of the
local hobby shop. Arnold saw his attraction to model airplanes and
became his mentor. Mike credits Arnold with showing him that
model aircraft could be more than just a hobby.
Mike entered his first contest at age 18. He placed first at the
1970 Mankato Modelers AAA-rated CL contest in the Senior Stunt
category, flying a hybrid airplane consisting of a salvaged Sig
Chipmunk wing and a profile fuselage of his own design.
Mike participated in numerous contests after his first win in
Mankato and in 1974, after only six years in the hobby, he competed
in his first World Championships, placing fourth overall.
Mike has been a seven-time United States team member as well
as the team manager in FAI World Championships competition. He
received AMA’s FAI Distinguished Performance Award for
multiple Scale World Championships and the FAI Scale World
Championships honored him with distinguished performance awards
in 1976, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
He is the only person to win first place at the AMA Nats in CL
Scale and RC Scale. Mike has been awarded the High Flight Points
Award as well as the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers’
Flight Achievement Award a number of times in Scale competition.
He has received achievement awards and high static score awards on
multiple occasions.
Sig Manufacturing hired Mike in January 1972 at its
headquarters in Montezuma, Iowa. His responsibilities extended
throughout various departments of the organization. His job titles
ranged from product engineer to advertising director.
At Sig, Mike was responsible for product design, systems
engineering, quality control, and sales and product support. He has
designed and brought to market dozens of Sig models and other
related products, including Sig’s first ARF.
Mike was the leader of Sig’s engineering and production
departments while the company made the transition into the
computer age. With his
assistance and inspiration,
Sig became the first major
manufacturer in the
industry to produce lasercut
model airplane kits.
Aside from model
construction, Mike has a
strong talent for writing
and photography. He has
been published in MA
several times covering
Nats RC Scale. Other articles, photography, and models have run in
Model Airplane News, Scale R/C Modeler, Hobby Merchandiser,
and R/C Report.
In 1997 Mike teamed with Shawn Elliot of the Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA) and co-founded the KidVenture
program, which introduces youth to model airplanes.
Initially the program allowed participants to experience flight
using gas-powered CL models. It has grown throughout the years to
incorporate building and flying an FF model, demonstrations of RC
park flyers, model rockets, flight simulators, and many other
aviation-oriented activities for kids.
Every year approximately 2,000 kids attend KidVenture to
experience the thrill of model aviation.
Mathew J. Kania
1917-1997
In 1927 Charles Lindbergh made history as the first man to fly
nonstop across the
Atlantic Ocean.
Lindbergh raised
standards in aviation
through his
accomplishment and
inspired children to
achieve their own
piloting goals.
Mathew J. Kania was
a child inspired by
Lindbergh. He began
building models in early
1927 with construction
that was chiefly balsa
and Ambroid. He was
primarily dedicated to
rubber band-powered
aircraft, but did make
hand-launched and
towline gliders.
Mathew’s first fuselage built-up model was sketched from a ¾-
view image printed in a newspaper: the Spirit of Saint Louis. He
assembled it from balsa and shoebox tissue paper with rubber
cement for adhesive. While the model did not fly well, it drew much
attention from his neighbors.
Mathew continued building rubber band-powered models and
started bringing them to school. It was here that the Sisters of the
Catholic school saw his work and believed it was good. They
encouraged Mathew to take his models to hobby and craft shows.
When he was 15, a hobby shop owner asked Mathew to design a
baby ROG model. The model would have to take off from the
ground and fly for 30 seconds. It was Mathew’s first commissioned
design and it was kitted and sold to junior high schools for hobby
classes. This same shop owner also bought Mathew his first Brown
Junior engine.
Mathew’s baby ROG was the first of many models produced in his
career. They were kitted by companies such as Megow Corporation,
P.D.Q. Products, and Sterling Models. He designed models including
the Super Clown, Flying Quaker, Stardust, and Ringmaster.
The Ringmaster is Mathew’s most famous and possibly the most
frequently produced and built kit of all time. Originally developed in
1950, the Ringmaster is still winning contests today.
At the 2006 Nats five of these models placed within the top 10 in
their divisions. The design has also developed into a series of models.
The Megow Corporation employed Mathew in 1939 as a
designer and draftsman. During that time, he built the Megow
Soaring Eagle for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Mathew worked his way through the organization to become
chief engineer in 1946. He moved on to P.D.Q. Products Company
as chief engineer and production manager in 1948.
Mathew’s career at the Megow Corporation was interrupted by a
stint in the US Navy during World War II. He completed training in
1944. While in the service, Mathew brought some of his CL modelsto the base and flew them for others during lunch time.
He was assigned to the model shop where he built airplanes and
ships with great detail for recognition training. Mathew was then
given orders to go to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in
Maryland where he was assigned as a ground crew captain.
One of the most exciting moments of Mathew’s Navy career was
the Army/Navy Fighter Conference in 1945. Manufacturers brought
their latest airplanes from around the United States to show what
they could do. Several big names in aviation were invited to attend
the event.
One attendee—and probably the most important to Mathew—
was Charles Lindbergh. Mathew wrote in his AMA History Program
autobiography, “I will never forget as long as I live when he asked to
fly my Grumman F2G of which I was plane captain and how I spoke
to him and checked him out before takeoff.”
When Mathew’s children, Mathew W. and Constance, learned
their father had been inducted into the Hall of Fame they wrote, “We
are so happy to hear that Dad has been inducted into the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame. This is truly a dream come true for both of
us. Thank you.”
Robert C. (Bob) Noll
Vestal, New York
Bob Noll’s interest in RC aircraft started when he was in high
school in 1953. Local hobby shop owners fueled his interest and
after a few trips to the local flying field, Bob was hooked.
He had always built solid models from wood kits but the sight of
an airplane flying with nothing attached was almost more than he
could handle. He completed his first operable model: a Royal
Rudderbug equipped with a Webra .15 diesel engine.
Bob participated in his first contest in 1954 flying a deBolt
LiveWire Champion. He placed third and left with a trophy in RC
Rudder Only.
The 1954 contest was only the beginning of many in which Bob
would compete and take home awards. He flew in a variety of
categories at contests locally, regionally, and nationally.
Bob has participated in approximately 20 AMA Nats and earned
trophies in Formula I Pylon, Quickie 500 Pylon, Designer Scale, and
Precision Aerobatics. He has earned multiple trophies for Pattern
and Scale at Vintage R/C Society Reunions and participated in a
number of National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
contests. In 1974 he was a member of the USA Pylon Team. Today
Bob continues to
compete in Quickie 500
Pylon and F3A
Precision Aerobatics.
Design and
invention are two of
Bob’s passions. He has
created several model
designs including the
Steen Skybolt and the
Yankee. He spent 10
years building custom
F3A Precision
Aerobatics models for
top competitors around
the world.
Teamed with
Robin’s View
Productions, Bob
developed a four-part
video series titled
Absolute Accuracy. The
videos are assistance in
producing precise, topquality
Pattern aircraft.
Bob developed a set
of tools for use in wing,
tail surface, and
fuselage alignment. In
addition, he experimented with foam wing cutting with friend Ed
Izzo who is the accredited developer of this building technique.
Bob has been published in several modeling magazines including
MA, Model Airplane News, and Flying Models. He has written many
how-to and design articles, and reported on numerous contests. Today
he continues to write building articles for MA and Flying Models.
Leadership skills help Bob stand out as an aeromodeler and Hall
of Fame recipient. He has been a member of one of the oldest RC
clubs in the United States, Aeroguidance Society, Inc., since 1959.
He has served as club president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, and board member on various occasions.
Bob was designated as an AMA Leader Member in 1980. He has
spent six years on the Radio Control Aerobatics Contest Board and
has been the Eastern Vice President of the United Scale and Pattern
Judges Association for four years.
Bob started a new frequency control system at his club to help
eliminate frequency problems. He is currently president of the
Vintage R/C Society and has been since 2002.
In 1960 Bob received his CD license and has since conducted
more than 50 sanctioned events for the Aeroguidance Society and
the Vintage R/C Society.
He’s been event director for RC Precision Aerobatics in three
Nats, conducted judging seminars for the National Society of Radio
Controled Aerobatics, judged four Tournaments of Champions, and
been judge or CD for the US F3A Team Selection Contest on four
occasions. Bob served as site director for the 1999 F3A World
Championships.
The Vintage R/C Society presented Bob with the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award and two separate Concours awards. In addition
to the Vintage R/C Society’s acknowledgement, he has received an
Outstanding Service Award from the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse
as recognition for conducting precision aerobatics training sessions
at its contests for six years.
He has acquired many trophies for scale and aerobatic models at
the Westchester Radio AeroModeler’s Show, the Weak Signals’
Toledo Show, and several other model shows and forums.
Bob’s desire and aptitude for leadership have made him a
valuable member of the aeromodeling community. His aspiration to
share the modeling hobby with others has resulted in many
presentations to local clubs about RC building and flying.
Bob has also actively assisted in several AMA Delta Dart
programs with Boy Scouts in and near Binghamton, New York.
Jerry Stoloff
1920-2007
Jerry Stoloff was born in 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. At the
age of 8 he began flying hand-launched gliders and rubber bandpowered
models. Jerry started designing gas-powered models and
became a member of the Tambe Model Airplane Club when he was
15. He later joined the Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Jerry’s membership in the Brooklyn Skyscrapers opened the door
for his model airplane designs. Among the club’s members were
many aeromodeling greats including Sal Taibi, Scotty Murray, Norm
Rosenstock, and Leon Shulman.
“We used to go down in the basement and sit and draw up new
designs and steal ideas from each other,” Jerry once told Charlie
Reich, his Hall of Fame sponsor.
Jerry’s knack for design and easy access to other builders for
assistance and ideas quickly had his models kitted by a number of
model airplane companies. His first model, the Diamond Demon,
was kitted in 1937 by Bay Ridge Company. It sold for the handsome
sum of $1.50. Construction features on the model were unique to
their time and were to become Jerry’s trademarks.
The idea of crutch-type construction, which incorporate a neat
method for integrating the engine bearers, helps keep the model
lightweight, and reduces building time without strength suffering.
The stabilizer and formers are built up from a strip before sanding.
Jerry felt that building time was important. FF models were lost
frequently because many modelers did not use dethermalizers.
Jerry has said he always liked to have models that looked good.
This is probably why he spent so much time developing, building,and improving his
many model
aircraft.
In 1938 he
designed the
Presto Liner kitted
by Capitol Model
Airplane
Company. The
Liner was another
first for Jerry
because this
model featured a
plastic-molded
fuselage.
He designed
several more
aircraft in his
modeling career.
Plans for many of
these models ran
in Model Airplane
News including
the Yehudi,
Swami, Bulldozer,
Floats, and
Houdini. His models were kitted by companies including
Continental Model, Eagle Model Airplane, and Consolidated Model
Airplane.
In 1942 Jerry joined the US Army Air Force. He spent his tour
working in the design and testing labs. During this time, he designed
a large CL aircraft that was used for training and turret firing
control.
The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) inducted Jerry into its
Hall of Fame in 1991. He was nominated by James Lobb who shared
Jerry’s enthusiasm for Old-Timer flying.
Jerry was the welcome wagon for James when he joined SAM
back in 1990. The two got together regularly at the field. In his
nomination, James wrote, “Jerry is still a very active flier of the
models he designed many years ago and his craftsmanship has only
improved with time.”
While Jerry’s accomplishments and modeling fame grew in his
later years, AMA Historian Norm Rosentock remembers the earlier
years. Norm was 14 when he first met Jerry, who was a few years
older. He remembers watching Jerry fly with other members of the
Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Norm joined the Skyscrapers in 1950 and had the opportunity to
get to know Jerry well. “He was always a jovial and generous
person,” Norm wrote. “When Jerry heard that I lost the use of the
apartment basement shop that I had, he offered me the use of his
shop in the house he lived in on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn.”
Jerry and Norm used to fly together nearly every weekend. Norm
even spent time with him during the week, as in 1954 he took a job
in the plastics factory in which Jerry was foreman.
“I will never forget Jerry’s kindness in sharing his shop in
Brooklyn with me,” Norm wrote. “I feel honored for the request for
information on Jerry Stoloff.”
Bill Werwage
Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Bill Werwage, an aeromodeler since 1948, is probably the most
winning CL Stunt flier in the history of the hobby. He has won the
Jim Walker Trophy three times, the National Championships five
times, and the Individual World Championship Precision Aerobatic
title for the United States on three separate occasions.
Bill’s interest began as a young boy when his father brought
home a stick-type FF model for them to build together. The
enjoyment they received from building this model moved Bill to
start building anything he could get his hands on including 10¢
Comet and Cleveland stick-type aircraft and Strombeck solid-balsa
shelf models.
His next door neighbor, Bill Macavenna, introduced Bill to CL
flying and soon he was competing in the Stunt event with models he
designed and built himself.
Aside from his wins, Bill flew to berths on 16 United States
World F2B teams. He was also awarded the Concours Award for the
best-appearing model at the AMA Nats in 1994, 1995, and 2001.
This is an award that is voted on by the competitors themselves.
When he’s not winning, Bill is designing and innovating. Some
of his legendary designs include the Ares, USA-1, Juno, Junar,
Vulcan, Super Ares, and his famous World Champion semiscale P-
47 Thunderbolt.
MA, American Modeler, and Flying Models have published articles
written by Bill about his model designs. His most popular design, the
1959 Ares, was kitted by Ambroid in 1962; however, the kit was not a
specific match for the 1959 design. In the 1990s Bill had the proper
plans published by AMA and the model kitted by Brodak.
Bill has experimented with various facets of model building
products. One such is the carbon-fiber tuned pipe. Bill was among the
pioneers who brought this technology to fruition in the Stunt event.
He worked with Dean Pappas, Rich Tower, and Bob Hunt to
develop the idea for use in the Stunt event, and later began
producing the resulting successful AeroPipes for sale along with
Randy Smith of Aero Products.
Bill embraced the early I-Beam construction techniques first
invented by Bob Dailey. Through many years and many models, he
developed the construction technique to the level of fine art.
Along with close friend Bob Hunt, Bill produced a popular video
program on how to properly build an I-Beam wing, and it is
available through Bob’s Robin’s View Productions.
In addition to a career in model aviation, Bill is an accomplished
professional guitarist. He has played lead guitar for musical artists
such as Tiny Tim and Bill Doggett. In his annual participation at the
Vintage Stunt Championships, Bill and Bob Hunt entertain
audiences at the evening gatherings playing their guitars.
Bob is quick to add that it is Bill who is the true artist. Bill’s
musical talent could have taken him far in the music industry, but he
chose to focus on competitive flying instead.
Another of Bill’s loves is horses. He is a partner in a string of 13
horses and teaches horseback riding. Bill’s father was a noted horse
handler in the 1950s and 1960s and Bill is proud to carry on the
family tradition.
Bill has truly earned the nickname bestowed upon him by the
entire CL Stunt fraternity: The Man. His building and flying career
has spanned more than six decades and he is still at the top of his
game. His third gold medal in the F2B event in 2004 came 32 years
after his second win in 1972!
Don’t bet against there being more in the future!
assembled the model with his younger brother’s assistance. In
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 177,178,179,180
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 177,178,179,180
ESTABLISHED IN 1969, the Model Aviation Hall of Fame
honors those men and women who have made significant
contributions to the sport of aeromodeling.
The list of members is long and distinguished. These people
have made contributions to model aviation through volunteer or
administrative activities, product development, competition
performance, or a variety or combination of activities.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is composed of past
AMA presidents and one Hall of Fame member selected from
each of the 11 districts by the respective vice presidents.
Each year a new class is inducted into the Model Aviation Hall
of Fame and the winners are announced in MA. Anyone may
submit a Hall of Fame nomination form.
For a nomination form or further information, contact Jackie
Shalberg at (765) 287-1256, ext. 511, or find the current form
online at www.modelaircraft.org, document 152.
The committee has selected the following people for the 2007
Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
Verlin (Bud) Atkinson
1925-2007
Boy Scouts are considered outstanding American citizens. They
possess courage, initiative, loyalty, and leadership. Anyone who has
had the pleasure of meeting Verlin “Bud” Atkinson could see that
this great aeromodeler got his start within this prestigious
organization. Bud learned skills in the Scouts that would shape the
rest of his life.
Bud Atkinson was born July 11, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was active in sports in high school and earned his letter in
football.
While still in high school Bud enlisted in the AAC and attended
school to become a mechanic and radio operator. He served our
country during World War II as a tail gunner and co-pilot on B-24
bombers. Bud earned the American Campaign Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during his
service.
Encouraged by his father and the Boy Scouts, Bud began
building and flying models at the age of 12. He experimented with
many aspects of model aviation before choosing RC Scale in which
he quickly excelled. His experiences included FF, CL, indoor
gliders, hand-launched gliders, Pylon Racing, and Scale. Bud was
even the first person in the Kansas City area to fly RC helicopters.
Bud began his professional career as a cabinet maker and
furniture finisher—both skills acquired from his uncle—at the age of
21. His started out at the Duff & Repp Furniture Company and later
spent 16 years at Emery, Bird, Thayer as furniture finisher and
service representative until it closed in 1968.
Bud took a position as the top furniture finisher for Paynes
Furniture until his retirement in 1981. Conceivably, all this
experience explains Bud’s extraordinary aptitude for applying
award-winning finishes to his airplanes.
Bud designed, built, and kitted many models throughout his
model aviation career. Among these were the Stits Flut-R-Bug,
Corbin Super Ace, Stits Playboy, Mooney M-20, F-4U Corsair, and
many more. Some of Bud’s designs were kitted by companies such
as ACE R/C, Sig, and Midwest Products. Various modeling sources
still have his plans available. He was featured on the cover of several
magazines with his models.
Bud often shared his knowledge with other modelers. He wrote a
column titled “Let’s Talk About Scale” that ran for three years in
American Modeler. He has written several articles on the construction
of his models that were published in various magazines. Bud was
always eager to help others get started and excel in model aviation.
As a competitor, Bud took part in countless flying events. He
kept many of his trophies on display in a special room set aside in
his home. His wife Alice guessed Bud acquired more than 500
awards for his modeling activities.
The earliest trophy in his collection dates back to 1942. His most
notable awards include a Testors Award plaque for best finish on a
model and first-place trophies in numerous Scale and Nats events.
Bud passed away on March 21, 2007, after an extended illness.
The 49th Mid America Jumbo Squadron held its annual Jumbo
Jamboree in Bud’s memory on August 25, 2007.
Bud had a hand in the formation of the squadron—the only
International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) club in the
Greater Kansas City area. Jim Cianciolo, AMA District VI associate
vice president, presented Alice with his award for the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame during the jamboree.
Susan Calvin, sponsor for Bud’s Hall of Fame nomination, wrote,
“All who have known Bud have benefited from his life example and
his untiring efforts to improve model aviation and those who
participate in it.”
Bud devoted more than 60 years to the hobby. He lived the
principles instilled in him at age 9. Verlin “Bud” Atkinson is a Scout
in every sense of the word, serving his country, mentoring and
teaching others, and being the kind of person people enjoy being
with.
Throughout adulthood Bud continued as an active supporter of
Scouting and often invited Scouts to his home for model airplane
building.
Mike Gretz
Montezuma, Iowa
Mike Gretz was born January 26, 1952, in Mankato, Minnesota.
He got his start in model aviation building balsa gliders and rubberpowered
stick models made by American Junior and North Pacific.
He thoroughly studied the instructions and experimented with
bending the control surfaces. His little modifications enabled his
airplanes to fly much better than those his friends built.
Mike’s first experience with gas-powered models was observing
his uncles who flew FF and CL models. Still a boy at the time,
Mike’s teenage uncles wouldn’t let him play with their precious
pieces of work. He instead watched them build and fly. When his
family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1960, Mike spent time
watching CL pilots fly their models in the park a block from his
house.
In 1968 Mike purchased his first gas model: a Sterling
Ringmaster 1/2A CL model with a Cox Babe Bee .049 engine. Heexchange for his help, Mike had to let his brother fly it. The brothers
taught themselves how to run the engine and fly the aircraft in only a
few days.
His family moved back to Mankato in 1969 where Mike became
acquainted with Michael Stott and his father Arnold, operator of the
local hobby shop. Arnold saw his attraction to model airplanes and
became his mentor. Mike credits Arnold with showing him that
model aircraft could be more than just a hobby.
Mike entered his first contest at age 18. He placed first at the
1970 Mankato Modelers AAA-rated CL contest in the Senior Stunt
category, flying a hybrid airplane consisting of a salvaged Sig
Chipmunk wing and a profile fuselage of his own design.
Mike participated in numerous contests after his first win in
Mankato and in 1974, after only six years in the hobby, he competed
in his first World Championships, placing fourth overall.
Mike has been a seven-time United States team member as well
as the team manager in FAI World Championships competition. He
received AMA’s FAI Distinguished Performance Award for
multiple Scale World Championships and the FAI Scale World
Championships honored him with distinguished performance awards
in 1976, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
He is the only person to win first place at the AMA Nats in CL
Scale and RC Scale. Mike has been awarded the High Flight Points
Award as well as the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers’
Flight Achievement Award a number of times in Scale competition.
He has received achievement awards and high static score awards on
multiple occasions.
Sig Manufacturing hired Mike in January 1972 at its
headquarters in Montezuma, Iowa. His responsibilities extended
throughout various departments of the organization. His job titles
ranged from product engineer to advertising director.
At Sig, Mike was responsible for product design, systems
engineering, quality control, and sales and product support. He has
designed and brought to market dozens of Sig models and other
related products, including Sig’s first ARF.
Mike was the leader of Sig’s engineering and production
departments while the company made the transition into the
computer age. With his
assistance and inspiration,
Sig became the first major
manufacturer in the
industry to produce lasercut
model airplane kits.
Aside from model
construction, Mike has a
strong talent for writing
and photography. He has
been published in MA
several times covering
Nats RC Scale. Other articles, photography, and models have run in
Model Airplane News, Scale R/C Modeler, Hobby Merchandiser,
and R/C Report.
In 1997 Mike teamed with Shawn Elliot of the Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA) and co-founded the KidVenture
program, which introduces youth to model airplanes.
Initially the program allowed participants to experience flight
using gas-powered CL models. It has grown throughout the years to
incorporate building and flying an FF model, demonstrations of RC
park flyers, model rockets, flight simulators, and many other
aviation-oriented activities for kids.
Every year approximately 2,000 kids attend KidVenture to
experience the thrill of model aviation.
Mathew J. Kania
1917-1997
In 1927 Charles Lindbergh made history as the first man to fly
nonstop across the
Atlantic Ocean.
Lindbergh raised
standards in aviation
through his
accomplishment and
inspired children to
achieve their own
piloting goals.
Mathew J. Kania was
a child inspired by
Lindbergh. He began
building models in early
1927 with construction
that was chiefly balsa
and Ambroid. He was
primarily dedicated to
rubber band-powered
aircraft, but did make
hand-launched and
towline gliders.
Mathew’s first fuselage built-up model was sketched from a ¾-
view image printed in a newspaper: the Spirit of Saint Louis. He
assembled it from balsa and shoebox tissue paper with rubber
cement for adhesive. While the model did not fly well, it drew much
attention from his neighbors.
Mathew continued building rubber band-powered models and
started bringing them to school. It was here that the Sisters of the
Catholic school saw his work and believed it was good. They
encouraged Mathew to take his models to hobby and craft shows.
When he was 15, a hobby shop owner asked Mathew to design a
baby ROG model. The model would have to take off from the
ground and fly for 30 seconds. It was Mathew’s first commissioned
design and it was kitted and sold to junior high schools for hobby
classes. This same shop owner also bought Mathew his first Brown
Junior engine.
Mathew’s baby ROG was the first of many models produced in his
career. They were kitted by companies such as Megow Corporation,
P.D.Q. Products, and Sterling Models. He designed models including
the Super Clown, Flying Quaker, Stardust, and Ringmaster.
The Ringmaster is Mathew’s most famous and possibly the most
frequently produced and built kit of all time. Originally developed in
1950, the Ringmaster is still winning contests today.
At the 2006 Nats five of these models placed within the top 10 in
their divisions. The design has also developed into a series of models.
The Megow Corporation employed Mathew in 1939 as a
designer and draftsman. During that time, he built the Megow
Soaring Eagle for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Mathew worked his way through the organization to become
chief engineer in 1946. He moved on to P.D.Q. Products Company
as chief engineer and production manager in 1948.
Mathew’s career at the Megow Corporation was interrupted by a
stint in the US Navy during World War II. He completed training in
1944. While in the service, Mathew brought some of his CL modelsto the base and flew them for others during lunch time.
He was assigned to the model shop where he built airplanes and
ships with great detail for recognition training. Mathew was then
given orders to go to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in
Maryland where he was assigned as a ground crew captain.
One of the most exciting moments of Mathew’s Navy career was
the Army/Navy Fighter Conference in 1945. Manufacturers brought
their latest airplanes from around the United States to show what
they could do. Several big names in aviation were invited to attend
the event.
One attendee—and probably the most important to Mathew—
was Charles Lindbergh. Mathew wrote in his AMA History Program
autobiography, “I will never forget as long as I live when he asked to
fly my Grumman F2G of which I was plane captain and how I spoke
to him and checked him out before takeoff.”
When Mathew’s children, Mathew W. and Constance, learned
their father had been inducted into the Hall of Fame they wrote, “We
are so happy to hear that Dad has been inducted into the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame. This is truly a dream come true for both of
us. Thank you.”
Robert C. (Bob) Noll
Vestal, New York
Bob Noll’s interest in RC aircraft started when he was in high
school in 1953. Local hobby shop owners fueled his interest and
after a few trips to the local flying field, Bob was hooked.
He had always built solid models from wood kits but the sight of
an airplane flying with nothing attached was almost more than he
could handle. He completed his first operable model: a Royal
Rudderbug equipped with a Webra .15 diesel engine.
Bob participated in his first contest in 1954 flying a deBolt
LiveWire Champion. He placed third and left with a trophy in RC
Rudder Only.
The 1954 contest was only the beginning of many in which Bob
would compete and take home awards. He flew in a variety of
categories at contests locally, regionally, and nationally.
Bob has participated in approximately 20 AMA Nats and earned
trophies in Formula I Pylon, Quickie 500 Pylon, Designer Scale, and
Precision Aerobatics. He has earned multiple trophies for Pattern
and Scale at Vintage R/C Society Reunions and participated in a
number of National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
contests. In 1974 he was a member of the USA Pylon Team. Today
Bob continues to
compete in Quickie 500
Pylon and F3A
Precision Aerobatics.
Design and
invention are two of
Bob’s passions. He has
created several model
designs including the
Steen Skybolt and the
Yankee. He spent 10
years building custom
F3A Precision
Aerobatics models for
top competitors around
the world.
Teamed with
Robin’s View
Productions, Bob
developed a four-part
video series titled
Absolute Accuracy. The
videos are assistance in
producing precise, topquality
Pattern aircraft.
Bob developed a set
of tools for use in wing,
tail surface, and
fuselage alignment. In
addition, he experimented with foam wing cutting with friend Ed
Izzo who is the accredited developer of this building technique.
Bob has been published in several modeling magazines including
MA, Model Airplane News, and Flying Models. He has written many
how-to and design articles, and reported on numerous contests. Today
he continues to write building articles for MA and Flying Models.
Leadership skills help Bob stand out as an aeromodeler and Hall
of Fame recipient. He has been a member of one of the oldest RC
clubs in the United States, Aeroguidance Society, Inc., since 1959.
He has served as club president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, and board member on various occasions.
Bob was designated as an AMA Leader Member in 1980. He has
spent six years on the Radio Control Aerobatics Contest Board and
has been the Eastern Vice President of the United Scale and Pattern
Judges Association for four years.
Bob started a new frequency control system at his club to help
eliminate frequency problems. He is currently president of the
Vintage R/C Society and has been since 2002.
In 1960 Bob received his CD license and has since conducted
more than 50 sanctioned events for the Aeroguidance Society and
the Vintage R/C Society.
He’s been event director for RC Precision Aerobatics in three
Nats, conducted judging seminars for the National Society of Radio
Controled Aerobatics, judged four Tournaments of Champions, and
been judge or CD for the US F3A Team Selection Contest on four
occasions. Bob served as site director for the 1999 F3A World
Championships.
The Vintage R/C Society presented Bob with the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award and two separate Concours awards. In addition
to the Vintage R/C Society’s acknowledgement, he has received an
Outstanding Service Award from the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse
as recognition for conducting precision aerobatics training sessions
at its contests for six years.
He has acquired many trophies for scale and aerobatic models at
the Westchester Radio AeroModeler’s Show, the Weak Signals’
Toledo Show, and several other model shows and forums.
Bob’s desire and aptitude for leadership have made him a
valuable member of the aeromodeling community. His aspiration to
share the modeling hobby with others has resulted in many
presentations to local clubs about RC building and flying.
Bob has also actively assisted in several AMA Delta Dart
programs with Boy Scouts in and near Binghamton, New York.
Jerry Stoloff
1920-2007
Jerry Stoloff was born in 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. At the
age of 8 he began flying hand-launched gliders and rubber bandpowered
models. Jerry started designing gas-powered models and
became a member of the Tambe Model Airplane Club when he was
15. He later joined the Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Jerry’s membership in the Brooklyn Skyscrapers opened the door
for his model airplane designs. Among the club’s members were
many aeromodeling greats including Sal Taibi, Scotty Murray, Norm
Rosenstock, and Leon Shulman.
“We used to go down in the basement and sit and draw up new
designs and steal ideas from each other,” Jerry once told Charlie
Reich, his Hall of Fame sponsor.
Jerry’s knack for design and easy access to other builders for
assistance and ideas quickly had his models kitted by a number of
model airplane companies. His first model, the Diamond Demon,
was kitted in 1937 by Bay Ridge Company. It sold for the handsome
sum of $1.50. Construction features on the model were unique to
their time and were to become Jerry’s trademarks.
The idea of crutch-type construction, which incorporate a neat
method for integrating the engine bearers, helps keep the model
lightweight, and reduces building time without strength suffering.
The stabilizer and formers are built up from a strip before sanding.
Jerry felt that building time was important. FF models were lost
frequently because many modelers did not use dethermalizers.
Jerry has said he always liked to have models that looked good.
This is probably why he spent so much time developing, building,and improving his
many model
aircraft.
In 1938 he
designed the
Presto Liner kitted
by Capitol Model
Airplane
Company. The
Liner was another
first for Jerry
because this
model featured a
plastic-molded
fuselage.
He designed
several more
aircraft in his
modeling career.
Plans for many of
these models ran
in Model Airplane
News including
the Yehudi,
Swami, Bulldozer,
Floats, and
Houdini. His models were kitted by companies including
Continental Model, Eagle Model Airplane, and Consolidated Model
Airplane.
In 1942 Jerry joined the US Army Air Force. He spent his tour
working in the design and testing labs. During this time, he designed
a large CL aircraft that was used for training and turret firing
control.
The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) inducted Jerry into its
Hall of Fame in 1991. He was nominated by James Lobb who shared
Jerry’s enthusiasm for Old-Timer flying.
Jerry was the welcome wagon for James when he joined SAM
back in 1990. The two got together regularly at the field. In his
nomination, James wrote, “Jerry is still a very active flier of the
models he designed many years ago and his craftsmanship has only
improved with time.”
While Jerry’s accomplishments and modeling fame grew in his
later years, AMA Historian Norm Rosentock remembers the earlier
years. Norm was 14 when he first met Jerry, who was a few years
older. He remembers watching Jerry fly with other members of the
Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Norm joined the Skyscrapers in 1950 and had the opportunity to
get to know Jerry well. “He was always a jovial and generous
person,” Norm wrote. “When Jerry heard that I lost the use of the
apartment basement shop that I had, he offered me the use of his
shop in the house he lived in on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn.”
Jerry and Norm used to fly together nearly every weekend. Norm
even spent time with him during the week, as in 1954 he took a job
in the plastics factory in which Jerry was foreman.
“I will never forget Jerry’s kindness in sharing his shop in
Brooklyn with me,” Norm wrote. “I feel honored for the request for
information on Jerry Stoloff.”
Bill Werwage
Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Bill Werwage, an aeromodeler since 1948, is probably the most
winning CL Stunt flier in the history of the hobby. He has won the
Jim Walker Trophy three times, the National Championships five
times, and the Individual World Championship Precision Aerobatic
title for the United States on three separate occasions.
Bill’s interest began as a young boy when his father brought
home a stick-type FF model for them to build together. The
enjoyment they received from building this model moved Bill to
start building anything he could get his hands on including 10¢
Comet and Cleveland stick-type aircraft and Strombeck solid-balsa
shelf models.
His next door neighbor, Bill Macavenna, introduced Bill to CL
flying and soon he was competing in the Stunt event with models he
designed and built himself.
Aside from his wins, Bill flew to berths on 16 United States
World F2B teams. He was also awarded the Concours Award for the
best-appearing model at the AMA Nats in 1994, 1995, and 2001.
This is an award that is voted on by the competitors themselves.
When he’s not winning, Bill is designing and innovating. Some
of his legendary designs include the Ares, USA-1, Juno, Junar,
Vulcan, Super Ares, and his famous World Champion semiscale P-
47 Thunderbolt.
MA, American Modeler, and Flying Models have published articles
written by Bill about his model designs. His most popular design, the
1959 Ares, was kitted by Ambroid in 1962; however, the kit was not a
specific match for the 1959 design. In the 1990s Bill had the proper
plans published by AMA and the model kitted by Brodak.
Bill has experimented with various facets of model building
products. One such is the carbon-fiber tuned pipe. Bill was among the
pioneers who brought this technology to fruition in the Stunt event.
He worked with Dean Pappas, Rich Tower, and Bob Hunt to
develop the idea for use in the Stunt event, and later began
producing the resulting successful AeroPipes for sale along with
Randy Smith of Aero Products.
Bill embraced the early I-Beam construction techniques first
invented by Bob Dailey. Through many years and many models, he
developed the construction technique to the level of fine art.
Along with close friend Bob Hunt, Bill produced a popular video
program on how to properly build an I-Beam wing, and it is
available through Bob’s Robin’s View Productions.
In addition to a career in model aviation, Bill is an accomplished
professional guitarist. He has played lead guitar for musical artists
such as Tiny Tim and Bill Doggett. In his annual participation at the
Vintage Stunt Championships, Bill and Bob Hunt entertain
audiences at the evening gatherings playing their guitars.
Bob is quick to add that it is Bill who is the true artist. Bill’s
musical talent could have taken him far in the music industry, but he
chose to focus on competitive flying instead.
Another of Bill’s loves is horses. He is a partner in a string of 13
horses and teaches horseback riding. Bill’s father was a noted horse
handler in the 1950s and 1960s and Bill is proud to carry on the
family tradition.
Bill has truly earned the nickname bestowed upon him by the
entire CL Stunt fraternity: The Man. His building and flying career
has spanned more than six decades and he is still at the top of his
game. His third gold medal in the F2B event in 2004 came 32 years
after his second win in 1972!
Don’t bet against there being more in the future!
assembled the model with his younger brother’s assistance. In
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 177,178,179,180
ESTABLISHED IN 1969, the Model Aviation Hall of Fame
honors those men and women who have made significant
contributions to the sport of aeromodeling.
The list of members is long and distinguished. These people
have made contributions to model aviation through volunteer or
administrative activities, product development, competition
performance, or a variety or combination of activities.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is composed of past
AMA presidents and one Hall of Fame member selected from
each of the 11 districts by the respective vice presidents.
Each year a new class is inducted into the Model Aviation Hall
of Fame and the winners are announced in MA. Anyone may
submit a Hall of Fame nomination form.
For a nomination form or further information, contact Jackie
Shalberg at (765) 287-1256, ext. 511, or find the current form
online at www.modelaircraft.org, document 152.
The committee has selected the following people for the 2007
Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
Verlin (Bud) Atkinson
1925-2007
Boy Scouts are considered outstanding American citizens. They
possess courage, initiative, loyalty, and leadership. Anyone who has
had the pleasure of meeting Verlin “Bud” Atkinson could see that
this great aeromodeler got his start within this prestigious
organization. Bud learned skills in the Scouts that would shape the
rest of his life.
Bud Atkinson was born July 11, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was active in sports in high school and earned his letter in
football.
While still in high school Bud enlisted in the AAC and attended
school to become a mechanic and radio operator. He served our
country during World War II as a tail gunner and co-pilot on B-24
bombers. Bud earned the American Campaign Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during his
service.
Encouraged by his father and the Boy Scouts, Bud began
building and flying models at the age of 12. He experimented with
many aspects of model aviation before choosing RC Scale in which
he quickly excelled. His experiences included FF, CL, indoor
gliders, hand-launched gliders, Pylon Racing, and Scale. Bud was
even the first person in the Kansas City area to fly RC helicopters.
Bud began his professional career as a cabinet maker and
furniture finisher—both skills acquired from his uncle—at the age of
21. His started out at the Duff & Repp Furniture Company and later
spent 16 years at Emery, Bird, Thayer as furniture finisher and
service representative until it closed in 1968.
Bud took a position as the top furniture finisher for Paynes
Furniture until his retirement in 1981. Conceivably, all this
experience explains Bud’s extraordinary aptitude for applying
award-winning finishes to his airplanes.
Bud designed, built, and kitted many models throughout his
model aviation career. Among these were the Stits Flut-R-Bug,
Corbin Super Ace, Stits Playboy, Mooney M-20, F-4U Corsair, and
many more. Some of Bud’s designs were kitted by companies such
as ACE R/C, Sig, and Midwest Products. Various modeling sources
still have his plans available. He was featured on the cover of several
magazines with his models.
Bud often shared his knowledge with other modelers. He wrote a
column titled “Let’s Talk About Scale” that ran for three years in
American Modeler. He has written several articles on the construction
of his models that were published in various magazines. Bud was
always eager to help others get started and excel in model aviation.
As a competitor, Bud took part in countless flying events. He
kept many of his trophies on display in a special room set aside in
his home. His wife Alice guessed Bud acquired more than 500
awards for his modeling activities.
The earliest trophy in his collection dates back to 1942. His most
notable awards include a Testors Award plaque for best finish on a
model and first-place trophies in numerous Scale and Nats events.
Bud passed away on March 21, 2007, after an extended illness.
The 49th Mid America Jumbo Squadron held its annual Jumbo
Jamboree in Bud’s memory on August 25, 2007.
Bud had a hand in the formation of the squadron—the only
International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) club in the
Greater Kansas City area. Jim Cianciolo, AMA District VI associate
vice president, presented Alice with his award for the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame during the jamboree.
Susan Calvin, sponsor for Bud’s Hall of Fame nomination, wrote,
“All who have known Bud have benefited from his life example and
his untiring efforts to improve model aviation and those who
participate in it.”
Bud devoted more than 60 years to the hobby. He lived the
principles instilled in him at age 9. Verlin “Bud” Atkinson is a Scout
in every sense of the word, serving his country, mentoring and
teaching others, and being the kind of person people enjoy being
with.
Throughout adulthood Bud continued as an active supporter of
Scouting and often invited Scouts to his home for model airplane
building.
Mike Gretz
Montezuma, Iowa
Mike Gretz was born January 26, 1952, in Mankato, Minnesota.
He got his start in model aviation building balsa gliders and rubberpowered
stick models made by American Junior and North Pacific.
He thoroughly studied the instructions and experimented with
bending the control surfaces. His little modifications enabled his
airplanes to fly much better than those his friends built.
Mike’s first experience with gas-powered models was observing
his uncles who flew FF and CL models. Still a boy at the time,
Mike’s teenage uncles wouldn’t let him play with their precious
pieces of work. He instead watched them build and fly. When his
family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1960, Mike spent time
watching CL pilots fly their models in the park a block from his
house.
In 1968 Mike purchased his first gas model: a Sterling
Ringmaster 1/2A CL model with a Cox Babe Bee .049 engine. Heexchange for his help, Mike had to let his brother fly it. The brothers
taught themselves how to run the engine and fly the aircraft in only a
few days.
His family moved back to Mankato in 1969 where Mike became
acquainted with Michael Stott and his father Arnold, operator of the
local hobby shop. Arnold saw his attraction to model airplanes and
became his mentor. Mike credits Arnold with showing him that
model aircraft could be more than just a hobby.
Mike entered his first contest at age 18. He placed first at the
1970 Mankato Modelers AAA-rated CL contest in the Senior Stunt
category, flying a hybrid airplane consisting of a salvaged Sig
Chipmunk wing and a profile fuselage of his own design.
Mike participated in numerous contests after his first win in
Mankato and in 1974, after only six years in the hobby, he competed
in his first World Championships, placing fourth overall.
Mike has been a seven-time United States team member as well
as the team manager in FAI World Championships competition. He
received AMA’s FAI Distinguished Performance Award for
multiple Scale World Championships and the FAI Scale World
Championships honored him with distinguished performance awards
in 1976, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
He is the only person to win first place at the AMA Nats in CL
Scale and RC Scale. Mike has been awarded the High Flight Points
Award as well as the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers’
Flight Achievement Award a number of times in Scale competition.
He has received achievement awards and high static score awards on
multiple occasions.
Sig Manufacturing hired Mike in January 1972 at its
headquarters in Montezuma, Iowa. His responsibilities extended
throughout various departments of the organization. His job titles
ranged from product engineer to advertising director.
At Sig, Mike was responsible for product design, systems
engineering, quality control, and sales and product support. He has
designed and brought to market dozens of Sig models and other
related products, including Sig’s first ARF.
Mike was the leader of Sig’s engineering and production
departments while the company made the transition into the
computer age. With his
assistance and inspiration,
Sig became the first major
manufacturer in the
industry to produce lasercut
model airplane kits.
Aside from model
construction, Mike has a
strong talent for writing
and photography. He has
been published in MA
several times covering
Nats RC Scale. Other articles, photography, and models have run in
Model Airplane News, Scale R/C Modeler, Hobby Merchandiser,
and R/C Report.
In 1997 Mike teamed with Shawn Elliot of the Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA) and co-founded the KidVenture
program, which introduces youth to model airplanes.
Initially the program allowed participants to experience flight
using gas-powered CL models. It has grown throughout the years to
incorporate building and flying an FF model, demonstrations of RC
park flyers, model rockets, flight simulators, and many other
aviation-oriented activities for kids.
Every year approximately 2,000 kids attend KidVenture to
experience the thrill of model aviation.
Mathew J. Kania
1917-1997
In 1927 Charles Lindbergh made history as the first man to fly
nonstop across the
Atlantic Ocean.
Lindbergh raised
standards in aviation
through his
accomplishment and
inspired children to
achieve their own
piloting goals.
Mathew J. Kania was
a child inspired by
Lindbergh. He began
building models in early
1927 with construction
that was chiefly balsa
and Ambroid. He was
primarily dedicated to
rubber band-powered
aircraft, but did make
hand-launched and
towline gliders.
Mathew’s first fuselage built-up model was sketched from a ¾-
view image printed in a newspaper: the Spirit of Saint Louis. He
assembled it from balsa and shoebox tissue paper with rubber
cement for adhesive. While the model did not fly well, it drew much
attention from his neighbors.
Mathew continued building rubber band-powered models and
started bringing them to school. It was here that the Sisters of the
Catholic school saw his work and believed it was good. They
encouraged Mathew to take his models to hobby and craft shows.
When he was 15, a hobby shop owner asked Mathew to design a
baby ROG model. The model would have to take off from the
ground and fly for 30 seconds. It was Mathew’s first commissioned
design and it was kitted and sold to junior high schools for hobby
classes. This same shop owner also bought Mathew his first Brown
Junior engine.
Mathew’s baby ROG was the first of many models produced in his
career. They were kitted by companies such as Megow Corporation,
P.D.Q. Products, and Sterling Models. He designed models including
the Super Clown, Flying Quaker, Stardust, and Ringmaster.
The Ringmaster is Mathew’s most famous and possibly the most
frequently produced and built kit of all time. Originally developed in
1950, the Ringmaster is still winning contests today.
At the 2006 Nats five of these models placed within the top 10 in
their divisions. The design has also developed into a series of models.
The Megow Corporation employed Mathew in 1939 as a
designer and draftsman. During that time, he built the Megow
Soaring Eagle for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Mathew worked his way through the organization to become
chief engineer in 1946. He moved on to P.D.Q. Products Company
as chief engineer and production manager in 1948.
Mathew’s career at the Megow Corporation was interrupted by a
stint in the US Navy during World War II. He completed training in
1944. While in the service, Mathew brought some of his CL modelsto the base and flew them for others during lunch time.
He was assigned to the model shop where he built airplanes and
ships with great detail for recognition training. Mathew was then
given orders to go to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in
Maryland where he was assigned as a ground crew captain.
One of the most exciting moments of Mathew’s Navy career was
the Army/Navy Fighter Conference in 1945. Manufacturers brought
their latest airplanes from around the United States to show what
they could do. Several big names in aviation were invited to attend
the event.
One attendee—and probably the most important to Mathew—
was Charles Lindbergh. Mathew wrote in his AMA History Program
autobiography, “I will never forget as long as I live when he asked to
fly my Grumman F2G of which I was plane captain and how I spoke
to him and checked him out before takeoff.”
When Mathew’s children, Mathew W. and Constance, learned
their father had been inducted into the Hall of Fame they wrote, “We
are so happy to hear that Dad has been inducted into the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame. This is truly a dream come true for both of
us. Thank you.”
Robert C. (Bob) Noll
Vestal, New York
Bob Noll’s interest in RC aircraft started when he was in high
school in 1953. Local hobby shop owners fueled his interest and
after a few trips to the local flying field, Bob was hooked.
He had always built solid models from wood kits but the sight of
an airplane flying with nothing attached was almost more than he
could handle. He completed his first operable model: a Royal
Rudderbug equipped with a Webra .15 diesel engine.
Bob participated in his first contest in 1954 flying a deBolt
LiveWire Champion. He placed third and left with a trophy in RC
Rudder Only.
The 1954 contest was only the beginning of many in which Bob
would compete and take home awards. He flew in a variety of
categories at contests locally, regionally, and nationally.
Bob has participated in approximately 20 AMA Nats and earned
trophies in Formula I Pylon, Quickie 500 Pylon, Designer Scale, and
Precision Aerobatics. He has earned multiple trophies for Pattern
and Scale at Vintage R/C Society Reunions and participated in a
number of National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
contests. In 1974 he was a member of the USA Pylon Team. Today
Bob continues to
compete in Quickie 500
Pylon and F3A
Precision Aerobatics.
Design and
invention are two of
Bob’s passions. He has
created several model
designs including the
Steen Skybolt and the
Yankee. He spent 10
years building custom
F3A Precision
Aerobatics models for
top competitors around
the world.
Teamed with
Robin’s View
Productions, Bob
developed a four-part
video series titled
Absolute Accuracy. The
videos are assistance in
producing precise, topquality
Pattern aircraft.
Bob developed a set
of tools for use in wing,
tail surface, and
fuselage alignment. In
addition, he experimented with foam wing cutting with friend Ed
Izzo who is the accredited developer of this building technique.
Bob has been published in several modeling magazines including
MA, Model Airplane News, and Flying Models. He has written many
how-to and design articles, and reported on numerous contests. Today
he continues to write building articles for MA and Flying Models.
Leadership skills help Bob stand out as an aeromodeler and Hall
of Fame recipient. He has been a member of one of the oldest RC
clubs in the United States, Aeroguidance Society, Inc., since 1959.
He has served as club president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, and board member on various occasions.
Bob was designated as an AMA Leader Member in 1980. He has
spent six years on the Radio Control Aerobatics Contest Board and
has been the Eastern Vice President of the United Scale and Pattern
Judges Association for four years.
Bob started a new frequency control system at his club to help
eliminate frequency problems. He is currently president of the
Vintage R/C Society and has been since 2002.
In 1960 Bob received his CD license and has since conducted
more than 50 sanctioned events for the Aeroguidance Society and
the Vintage R/C Society.
He’s been event director for RC Precision Aerobatics in three
Nats, conducted judging seminars for the National Society of Radio
Controled Aerobatics, judged four Tournaments of Champions, and
been judge or CD for the US F3A Team Selection Contest on four
occasions. Bob served as site director for the 1999 F3A World
Championships.
The Vintage R/C Society presented Bob with the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award and two separate Concours awards. In addition
to the Vintage R/C Society’s acknowledgement, he has received an
Outstanding Service Award from the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse
as recognition for conducting precision aerobatics training sessions
at its contests for six years.
He has acquired many trophies for scale and aerobatic models at
the Westchester Radio AeroModeler’s Show, the Weak Signals’
Toledo Show, and several other model shows and forums.
Bob’s desire and aptitude for leadership have made him a
valuable member of the aeromodeling community. His aspiration to
share the modeling hobby with others has resulted in many
presentations to local clubs about RC building and flying.
Bob has also actively assisted in several AMA Delta Dart
programs with Boy Scouts in and near Binghamton, New York.
Jerry Stoloff
1920-2007
Jerry Stoloff was born in 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. At the
age of 8 he began flying hand-launched gliders and rubber bandpowered
models. Jerry started designing gas-powered models and
became a member of the Tambe Model Airplane Club when he was
15. He later joined the Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Jerry’s membership in the Brooklyn Skyscrapers opened the door
for his model airplane designs. Among the club’s members were
many aeromodeling greats including Sal Taibi, Scotty Murray, Norm
Rosenstock, and Leon Shulman.
“We used to go down in the basement and sit and draw up new
designs and steal ideas from each other,” Jerry once told Charlie
Reich, his Hall of Fame sponsor.
Jerry’s knack for design and easy access to other builders for
assistance and ideas quickly had his models kitted by a number of
model airplane companies. His first model, the Diamond Demon,
was kitted in 1937 by Bay Ridge Company. It sold for the handsome
sum of $1.50. Construction features on the model were unique to
their time and were to become Jerry’s trademarks.
The idea of crutch-type construction, which incorporate a neat
method for integrating the engine bearers, helps keep the model
lightweight, and reduces building time without strength suffering.
The stabilizer and formers are built up from a strip before sanding.
Jerry felt that building time was important. FF models were lost
frequently because many modelers did not use dethermalizers.
Jerry has said he always liked to have models that looked good.
This is probably why he spent so much time developing, building,and improving his
many model
aircraft.
In 1938 he
designed the
Presto Liner kitted
by Capitol Model
Airplane
Company. The
Liner was another
first for Jerry
because this
model featured a
plastic-molded
fuselage.
He designed
several more
aircraft in his
modeling career.
Plans for many of
these models ran
in Model Airplane
News including
the Yehudi,
Swami, Bulldozer,
Floats, and
Houdini. His models were kitted by companies including
Continental Model, Eagle Model Airplane, and Consolidated Model
Airplane.
In 1942 Jerry joined the US Army Air Force. He spent his tour
working in the design and testing labs. During this time, he designed
a large CL aircraft that was used for training and turret firing
control.
The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) inducted Jerry into its
Hall of Fame in 1991. He was nominated by James Lobb who shared
Jerry’s enthusiasm for Old-Timer flying.
Jerry was the welcome wagon for James when he joined SAM
back in 1990. The two got together regularly at the field. In his
nomination, James wrote, “Jerry is still a very active flier of the
models he designed many years ago and his craftsmanship has only
improved with time.”
While Jerry’s accomplishments and modeling fame grew in his
later years, AMA Historian Norm Rosentock remembers the earlier
years. Norm was 14 when he first met Jerry, who was a few years
older. He remembers watching Jerry fly with other members of the
Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Norm joined the Skyscrapers in 1950 and had the opportunity to
get to know Jerry well. “He was always a jovial and generous
person,” Norm wrote. “When Jerry heard that I lost the use of the
apartment basement shop that I had, he offered me the use of his
shop in the house he lived in on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn.”
Jerry and Norm used to fly together nearly every weekend. Norm
even spent time with him during the week, as in 1954 he took a job
in the plastics factory in which Jerry was foreman.
“I will never forget Jerry’s kindness in sharing his shop in
Brooklyn with me,” Norm wrote. “I feel honored for the request for
information on Jerry Stoloff.”
Bill Werwage
Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Bill Werwage, an aeromodeler since 1948, is probably the most
winning CL Stunt flier in the history of the hobby. He has won the
Jim Walker Trophy three times, the National Championships five
times, and the Individual World Championship Precision Aerobatic
title for the United States on three separate occasions.
Bill’s interest began as a young boy when his father brought
home a stick-type FF model for them to build together. The
enjoyment they received from building this model moved Bill to
start building anything he could get his hands on including 10¢
Comet and Cleveland stick-type aircraft and Strombeck solid-balsa
shelf models.
His next door neighbor, Bill Macavenna, introduced Bill to CL
flying and soon he was competing in the Stunt event with models he
designed and built himself.
Aside from his wins, Bill flew to berths on 16 United States
World F2B teams. He was also awarded the Concours Award for the
best-appearing model at the AMA Nats in 1994, 1995, and 2001.
This is an award that is voted on by the competitors themselves.
When he’s not winning, Bill is designing and innovating. Some
of his legendary designs include the Ares, USA-1, Juno, Junar,
Vulcan, Super Ares, and his famous World Champion semiscale P-
47 Thunderbolt.
MA, American Modeler, and Flying Models have published articles
written by Bill about his model designs. His most popular design, the
1959 Ares, was kitted by Ambroid in 1962; however, the kit was not a
specific match for the 1959 design. In the 1990s Bill had the proper
plans published by AMA and the model kitted by Brodak.
Bill has experimented with various facets of model building
products. One such is the carbon-fiber tuned pipe. Bill was among the
pioneers who brought this technology to fruition in the Stunt event.
He worked with Dean Pappas, Rich Tower, and Bob Hunt to
develop the idea for use in the Stunt event, and later began
producing the resulting successful AeroPipes for sale along with
Randy Smith of Aero Products.
Bill embraced the early I-Beam construction techniques first
invented by Bob Dailey. Through many years and many models, he
developed the construction technique to the level of fine art.
Along with close friend Bob Hunt, Bill produced a popular video
program on how to properly build an I-Beam wing, and it is
available through Bob’s Robin’s View Productions.
In addition to a career in model aviation, Bill is an accomplished
professional guitarist. He has played lead guitar for musical artists
such as Tiny Tim and Bill Doggett. In his annual participation at the
Vintage Stunt Championships, Bill and Bob Hunt entertain
audiences at the evening gatherings playing their guitars.
Bob is quick to add that it is Bill who is the true artist. Bill’s
musical talent could have taken him far in the music industry, but he
chose to focus on competitive flying instead.
Another of Bill’s loves is horses. He is a partner in a string of 13
horses and teaches horseback riding. Bill’s father was a noted horse
handler in the 1950s and 1960s and Bill is proud to carry on the
family tradition.
Bill has truly earned the nickname bestowed upon him by the
entire CL Stunt fraternity: The Man. His building and flying career
has spanned more than six decades and he is still at the top of his
game. His third gold medal in the F2B event in 2004 came 32 years
after his second win in 1972!
Don’t bet against there being more in the future!
assembled the model with his younger brother’s assistance. In
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 177,178,179,180
ESTABLISHED IN 1969, the Model Aviation Hall of Fame
honors those men and women who have made significant
contributions to the sport of aeromodeling.
The list of members is long and distinguished. These people
have made contributions to model aviation through volunteer or
administrative activities, product development, competition
performance, or a variety or combination of activities.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is composed of past
AMA presidents and one Hall of Fame member selected from
each of the 11 districts by the respective vice presidents.
Each year a new class is inducted into the Model Aviation Hall
of Fame and the winners are announced in MA. Anyone may
submit a Hall of Fame nomination form.
For a nomination form or further information, contact Jackie
Shalberg at (765) 287-1256, ext. 511, or find the current form
online at www.modelaircraft.org, document 152.
The committee has selected the following people for the 2007
Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
Verlin (Bud) Atkinson
1925-2007
Boy Scouts are considered outstanding American citizens. They
possess courage, initiative, loyalty, and leadership. Anyone who has
had the pleasure of meeting Verlin “Bud” Atkinson could see that
this great aeromodeler got his start within this prestigious
organization. Bud learned skills in the Scouts that would shape the
rest of his life.
Bud Atkinson was born July 11, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was active in sports in high school and earned his letter in
football.
While still in high school Bud enlisted in the AAC and attended
school to become a mechanic and radio operator. He served our
country during World War II as a tail gunner and co-pilot on B-24
bombers. Bud earned the American Campaign Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during his
service.
Encouraged by his father and the Boy Scouts, Bud began
building and flying models at the age of 12. He experimented with
many aspects of model aviation before choosing RC Scale in which
he quickly excelled. His experiences included FF, CL, indoor
gliders, hand-launched gliders, Pylon Racing, and Scale. Bud was
even the first person in the Kansas City area to fly RC helicopters.
Bud began his professional career as a cabinet maker and
furniture finisher—both skills acquired from his uncle—at the age of
21. His started out at the Duff & Repp Furniture Company and later
spent 16 years at Emery, Bird, Thayer as furniture finisher and
service representative until it closed in 1968.
Bud took a position as the top furniture finisher for Paynes
Furniture until his retirement in 1981. Conceivably, all this
experience explains Bud’s extraordinary aptitude for applying
award-winning finishes to his airplanes.
Bud designed, built, and kitted many models throughout his
model aviation career. Among these were the Stits Flut-R-Bug,
Corbin Super Ace, Stits Playboy, Mooney M-20, F-4U Corsair, and
many more. Some of Bud’s designs were kitted by companies such
as ACE R/C, Sig, and Midwest Products. Various modeling sources
still have his plans available. He was featured on the cover of several
magazines with his models.
Bud often shared his knowledge with other modelers. He wrote a
column titled “Let’s Talk About Scale” that ran for three years in
American Modeler. He has written several articles on the construction
of his models that were published in various magazines. Bud was
always eager to help others get started and excel in model aviation.
As a competitor, Bud took part in countless flying events. He
kept many of his trophies on display in a special room set aside in
his home. His wife Alice guessed Bud acquired more than 500
awards for his modeling activities.
The earliest trophy in his collection dates back to 1942. His most
notable awards include a Testors Award plaque for best finish on a
model and first-place trophies in numerous Scale and Nats events.
Bud passed away on March 21, 2007, after an extended illness.
The 49th Mid America Jumbo Squadron held its annual Jumbo
Jamboree in Bud’s memory on August 25, 2007.
Bud had a hand in the formation of the squadron—the only
International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) club in the
Greater Kansas City area. Jim Cianciolo, AMA District VI associate
vice president, presented Alice with his award for the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame during the jamboree.
Susan Calvin, sponsor for Bud’s Hall of Fame nomination, wrote,
“All who have known Bud have benefited from his life example and
his untiring efforts to improve model aviation and those who
participate in it.”
Bud devoted more than 60 years to the hobby. He lived the
principles instilled in him at age 9. Verlin “Bud” Atkinson is a Scout
in every sense of the word, serving his country, mentoring and
teaching others, and being the kind of person people enjoy being
with.
Throughout adulthood Bud continued as an active supporter of
Scouting and often invited Scouts to his home for model airplane
building.
Mike Gretz
Montezuma, Iowa
Mike Gretz was born January 26, 1952, in Mankato, Minnesota.
He got his start in model aviation building balsa gliders and rubberpowered
stick models made by American Junior and North Pacific.
He thoroughly studied the instructions and experimented with
bending the control surfaces. His little modifications enabled his
airplanes to fly much better than those his friends built.
Mike’s first experience with gas-powered models was observing
his uncles who flew FF and CL models. Still a boy at the time,
Mike’s teenage uncles wouldn’t let him play with their precious
pieces of work. He instead watched them build and fly. When his
family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1960, Mike spent time
watching CL pilots fly their models in the park a block from his
house.
In 1968 Mike purchased his first gas model: a Sterling
Ringmaster 1/2A CL model with a Cox Babe Bee .049 engine. Heexchange for his help, Mike had to let his brother fly it. The brothers
taught themselves how to run the engine and fly the aircraft in only a
few days.
His family moved back to Mankato in 1969 where Mike became
acquainted with Michael Stott and his father Arnold, operator of the
local hobby shop. Arnold saw his attraction to model airplanes and
became his mentor. Mike credits Arnold with showing him that
model aircraft could be more than just a hobby.
Mike entered his first contest at age 18. He placed first at the
1970 Mankato Modelers AAA-rated CL contest in the Senior Stunt
category, flying a hybrid airplane consisting of a salvaged Sig
Chipmunk wing and a profile fuselage of his own design.
Mike participated in numerous contests after his first win in
Mankato and in 1974, after only six years in the hobby, he competed
in his first World Championships, placing fourth overall.
Mike has been a seven-time United States team member as well
as the team manager in FAI World Championships competition. He
received AMA’s FAI Distinguished Performance Award for
multiple Scale World Championships and the FAI Scale World
Championships honored him with distinguished performance awards
in 1976, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
He is the only person to win first place at the AMA Nats in CL
Scale and RC Scale. Mike has been awarded the High Flight Points
Award as well as the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers’
Flight Achievement Award a number of times in Scale competition.
He has received achievement awards and high static score awards on
multiple occasions.
Sig Manufacturing hired Mike in January 1972 at its
headquarters in Montezuma, Iowa. His responsibilities extended
throughout various departments of the organization. His job titles
ranged from product engineer to advertising director.
At Sig, Mike was responsible for product design, systems
engineering, quality control, and sales and product support. He has
designed and brought to market dozens of Sig models and other
related products, including Sig’s first ARF.
Mike was the leader of Sig’s engineering and production
departments while the company made the transition into the
computer age. With his
assistance and inspiration,
Sig became the first major
manufacturer in the
industry to produce lasercut
model airplane kits.
Aside from model
construction, Mike has a
strong talent for writing
and photography. He has
been published in MA
several times covering
Nats RC Scale. Other articles, photography, and models have run in
Model Airplane News, Scale R/C Modeler, Hobby Merchandiser,
and R/C Report.
In 1997 Mike teamed with Shawn Elliot of the Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA) and co-founded the KidVenture
program, which introduces youth to model airplanes.
Initially the program allowed participants to experience flight
using gas-powered CL models. It has grown throughout the years to
incorporate building and flying an FF model, demonstrations of RC
park flyers, model rockets, flight simulators, and many other
aviation-oriented activities for kids.
Every year approximately 2,000 kids attend KidVenture to
experience the thrill of model aviation.
Mathew J. Kania
1917-1997
In 1927 Charles Lindbergh made history as the first man to fly
nonstop across the
Atlantic Ocean.
Lindbergh raised
standards in aviation
through his
accomplishment and
inspired children to
achieve their own
piloting goals.
Mathew J. Kania was
a child inspired by
Lindbergh. He began
building models in early
1927 with construction
that was chiefly balsa
and Ambroid. He was
primarily dedicated to
rubber band-powered
aircraft, but did make
hand-launched and
towline gliders.
Mathew’s first fuselage built-up model was sketched from a ¾-
view image printed in a newspaper: the Spirit of Saint Louis. He
assembled it from balsa and shoebox tissue paper with rubber
cement for adhesive. While the model did not fly well, it drew much
attention from his neighbors.
Mathew continued building rubber band-powered models and
started bringing them to school. It was here that the Sisters of the
Catholic school saw his work and believed it was good. They
encouraged Mathew to take his models to hobby and craft shows.
When he was 15, a hobby shop owner asked Mathew to design a
baby ROG model. The model would have to take off from the
ground and fly for 30 seconds. It was Mathew’s first commissioned
design and it was kitted and sold to junior high schools for hobby
classes. This same shop owner also bought Mathew his first Brown
Junior engine.
Mathew’s baby ROG was the first of many models produced in his
career. They were kitted by companies such as Megow Corporation,
P.D.Q. Products, and Sterling Models. He designed models including
the Super Clown, Flying Quaker, Stardust, and Ringmaster.
The Ringmaster is Mathew’s most famous and possibly the most
frequently produced and built kit of all time. Originally developed in
1950, the Ringmaster is still winning contests today.
At the 2006 Nats five of these models placed within the top 10 in
their divisions. The design has also developed into a series of models.
The Megow Corporation employed Mathew in 1939 as a
designer and draftsman. During that time, he built the Megow
Soaring Eagle for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Mathew worked his way through the organization to become
chief engineer in 1946. He moved on to P.D.Q. Products Company
as chief engineer and production manager in 1948.
Mathew’s career at the Megow Corporation was interrupted by a
stint in the US Navy during World War II. He completed training in
1944. While in the service, Mathew brought some of his CL modelsto the base and flew them for others during lunch time.
He was assigned to the model shop where he built airplanes and
ships with great detail for recognition training. Mathew was then
given orders to go to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in
Maryland where he was assigned as a ground crew captain.
One of the most exciting moments of Mathew’s Navy career was
the Army/Navy Fighter Conference in 1945. Manufacturers brought
their latest airplanes from around the United States to show what
they could do. Several big names in aviation were invited to attend
the event.
One attendee—and probably the most important to Mathew—
was Charles Lindbergh. Mathew wrote in his AMA History Program
autobiography, “I will never forget as long as I live when he asked to
fly my Grumman F2G of which I was plane captain and how I spoke
to him and checked him out before takeoff.”
When Mathew’s children, Mathew W. and Constance, learned
their father had been inducted into the Hall of Fame they wrote, “We
are so happy to hear that Dad has been inducted into the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame. This is truly a dream come true for both of
us. Thank you.”
Robert C. (Bob) Noll
Vestal, New York
Bob Noll’s interest in RC aircraft started when he was in high
school in 1953. Local hobby shop owners fueled his interest and
after a few trips to the local flying field, Bob was hooked.
He had always built solid models from wood kits but the sight of
an airplane flying with nothing attached was almost more than he
could handle. He completed his first operable model: a Royal
Rudderbug equipped with a Webra .15 diesel engine.
Bob participated in his first contest in 1954 flying a deBolt
LiveWire Champion. He placed third and left with a trophy in RC
Rudder Only.
The 1954 contest was only the beginning of many in which Bob
would compete and take home awards. He flew in a variety of
categories at contests locally, regionally, and nationally.
Bob has participated in approximately 20 AMA Nats and earned
trophies in Formula I Pylon, Quickie 500 Pylon, Designer Scale, and
Precision Aerobatics. He has earned multiple trophies for Pattern
and Scale at Vintage R/C Society Reunions and participated in a
number of National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
contests. In 1974 he was a member of the USA Pylon Team. Today
Bob continues to
compete in Quickie 500
Pylon and F3A
Precision Aerobatics.
Design and
invention are two of
Bob’s passions. He has
created several model
designs including the
Steen Skybolt and the
Yankee. He spent 10
years building custom
F3A Precision
Aerobatics models for
top competitors around
the world.
Teamed with
Robin’s View
Productions, Bob
developed a four-part
video series titled
Absolute Accuracy. The
videos are assistance in
producing precise, topquality
Pattern aircraft.
Bob developed a set
of tools for use in wing,
tail surface, and
fuselage alignment. In
addition, he experimented with foam wing cutting with friend Ed
Izzo who is the accredited developer of this building technique.
Bob has been published in several modeling magazines including
MA, Model Airplane News, and Flying Models. He has written many
how-to and design articles, and reported on numerous contests. Today
he continues to write building articles for MA and Flying Models.
Leadership skills help Bob stand out as an aeromodeler and Hall
of Fame recipient. He has been a member of one of the oldest RC
clubs in the United States, Aeroguidance Society, Inc., since 1959.
He has served as club president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, and board member on various occasions.
Bob was designated as an AMA Leader Member in 1980. He has
spent six years on the Radio Control Aerobatics Contest Board and
has been the Eastern Vice President of the United Scale and Pattern
Judges Association for four years.
Bob started a new frequency control system at his club to help
eliminate frequency problems. He is currently president of the
Vintage R/C Society and has been since 2002.
In 1960 Bob received his CD license and has since conducted
more than 50 sanctioned events for the Aeroguidance Society and
the Vintage R/C Society.
He’s been event director for RC Precision Aerobatics in three
Nats, conducted judging seminars for the National Society of Radio
Controled Aerobatics, judged four Tournaments of Champions, and
been judge or CD for the US F3A Team Selection Contest on four
occasions. Bob served as site director for the 1999 F3A World
Championships.
The Vintage R/C Society presented Bob with the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award and two separate Concours awards. In addition
to the Vintage R/C Society’s acknowledgement, he has received an
Outstanding Service Award from the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse
as recognition for conducting precision aerobatics training sessions
at its contests for six years.
He has acquired many trophies for scale and aerobatic models at
the Westchester Radio AeroModeler’s Show, the Weak Signals’
Toledo Show, and several other model shows and forums.
Bob’s desire and aptitude for leadership have made him a
valuable member of the aeromodeling community. His aspiration to
share the modeling hobby with others has resulted in many
presentations to local clubs about RC building and flying.
Bob has also actively assisted in several AMA Delta Dart
programs with Boy Scouts in and near Binghamton, New York.
Jerry Stoloff
1920-2007
Jerry Stoloff was born in 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. At the
age of 8 he began flying hand-launched gliders and rubber bandpowered
models. Jerry started designing gas-powered models and
became a member of the Tambe Model Airplane Club when he was
15. He later joined the Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Jerry’s membership in the Brooklyn Skyscrapers opened the door
for his model airplane designs. Among the club’s members were
many aeromodeling greats including Sal Taibi, Scotty Murray, Norm
Rosenstock, and Leon Shulman.
“We used to go down in the basement and sit and draw up new
designs and steal ideas from each other,” Jerry once told Charlie
Reich, his Hall of Fame sponsor.
Jerry’s knack for design and easy access to other builders for
assistance and ideas quickly had his models kitted by a number of
model airplane companies. His first model, the Diamond Demon,
was kitted in 1937 by Bay Ridge Company. It sold for the handsome
sum of $1.50. Construction features on the model were unique to
their time and were to become Jerry’s trademarks.
The idea of crutch-type construction, which incorporate a neat
method for integrating the engine bearers, helps keep the model
lightweight, and reduces building time without strength suffering.
The stabilizer and formers are built up from a strip before sanding.
Jerry felt that building time was important. FF models were lost
frequently because many modelers did not use dethermalizers.
Jerry has said he always liked to have models that looked good.
This is probably why he spent so much time developing, building,and improving his
many model
aircraft.
In 1938 he
designed the
Presto Liner kitted
by Capitol Model
Airplane
Company. The
Liner was another
first for Jerry
because this
model featured a
plastic-molded
fuselage.
He designed
several more
aircraft in his
modeling career.
Plans for many of
these models ran
in Model Airplane
News including
the Yehudi,
Swami, Bulldozer,
Floats, and
Houdini. His models were kitted by companies including
Continental Model, Eagle Model Airplane, and Consolidated Model
Airplane.
In 1942 Jerry joined the US Army Air Force. He spent his tour
working in the design and testing labs. During this time, he designed
a large CL aircraft that was used for training and turret firing
control.
The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) inducted Jerry into its
Hall of Fame in 1991. He was nominated by James Lobb who shared
Jerry’s enthusiasm for Old-Timer flying.
Jerry was the welcome wagon for James when he joined SAM
back in 1990. The two got together regularly at the field. In his
nomination, James wrote, “Jerry is still a very active flier of the
models he designed many years ago and his craftsmanship has only
improved with time.”
While Jerry’s accomplishments and modeling fame grew in his
later years, AMA Historian Norm Rosentock remembers the earlier
years. Norm was 14 when he first met Jerry, who was a few years
older. He remembers watching Jerry fly with other members of the
Brooklyn Skyscrapers.
Norm joined the Skyscrapers in 1950 and had the opportunity to
get to know Jerry well. “He was always a jovial and generous
person,” Norm wrote. “When Jerry heard that I lost the use of the
apartment basement shop that I had, he offered me the use of his
shop in the house he lived in on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn.”
Jerry and Norm used to fly together nearly every weekend. Norm
even spent time with him during the week, as in 1954 he took a job
in the plastics factory in which Jerry was foreman.
“I will never forget Jerry’s kindness in sharing his shop in
Brooklyn with me,” Norm wrote. “I feel honored for the request for
information on Jerry Stoloff.”
Bill Werwage
Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Bill Werwage, an aeromodeler since 1948, is probably the most
winning CL Stunt flier in the history of the hobby. He has won the
Jim Walker Trophy three times, the National Championships five
times, and the Individual World Championship Precision Aerobatic
title for the United States on three separate occasions.
Bill’s interest began as a young boy when his father brought
home a stick-type FF model for them to build together. The
enjoyment they received from building this model moved Bill to
start building anything he could get his hands on including 10¢
Comet and Cleveland stick-type aircraft and Strombeck solid-balsa
shelf models.
His next door neighbor, Bill Macavenna, introduced Bill to CL
flying and soon he was competing in the Stunt event with models he
designed and built himself.
Aside from his wins, Bill flew to berths on 16 United States
World F2B teams. He was also awarded the Concours Award for the
best-appearing model at the AMA Nats in 1994, 1995, and 2001.
This is an award that is voted on by the competitors themselves.
When he’s not winning, Bill is designing and innovating. Some
of his legendary designs include the Ares, USA-1, Juno, Junar,
Vulcan, Super Ares, and his famous World Champion semiscale P-
47 Thunderbolt.
MA, American Modeler, and Flying Models have published articles
written by Bill about his model designs. His most popular design, the
1959 Ares, was kitted by Ambroid in 1962; however, the kit was not a
specific match for the 1959 design. In the 1990s Bill had the proper
plans published by AMA and the model kitted by Brodak.
Bill has experimented with various facets of model building
products. One such is the carbon-fiber tuned pipe. Bill was among the
pioneers who brought this technology to fruition in the Stunt event.
He worked with Dean Pappas, Rich Tower, and Bob Hunt to
develop the idea for use in the Stunt event, and later began
producing the resulting successful AeroPipes for sale along with
Randy Smith of Aero Products.
Bill embraced the early I-Beam construction techniques first
invented by Bob Dailey. Through many years and many models, he
developed the construction technique to the level of fine art.
Along with close friend Bob Hunt, Bill produced a popular video
program on how to properly build an I-Beam wing, and it is
available through Bob’s Robin’s View Productions.
In addition to a career in model aviation, Bill is an accomplished
professional guitarist. He has played lead guitar for musical artists
such as Tiny Tim and Bill Doggett. In his annual participation at the
Vintage Stunt Championships, Bill and Bob Hunt entertain
audiences at the evening gatherings playing their guitars.
Bob is quick to add that it is Bill who is the true artist. Bill’s
musical talent could have taken him far in the music industry, but he
chose to focus on competitive flying instead.
Another of Bill’s loves is horses. He is a partner in a string of 13
horses and teaches horseback riding. Bill’s father was a noted horse
handler in the 1950s and 1960s and Bill is proud to carry on the
family tradition.
Bill has truly earned the nickname bestowed upon him by the
entire CL Stunt fraternity: The Man. His building and flying career
has spanned more than six decades and he is still at the top of his
game. His third gold medal in the F2B event in 2004 came 32 years
after his second win in 1972!
Don’t bet against there being more in the future!
assembled the model with his younger brother’s assistance. In